Level Up Legacy

1178 A War To Win Hearts

The entire world was in an uproar as the livestream appeared on every news outlet. The mysterious figure, labeled Lotus Mask, became the most famous person in the world after kidnapping the prince of Yalen. He was even being interviewed with the prince right beside him.

Comments flooded in: [Is this a promo for a new movie? The marketing team is insane!] [It's about time someone taught the royals they aren't invincible, and everyone hates them! Screw Yalen!]

Such comments, a mixture of disbelief, entertainment, and rage, filled the internet in mere seconds. The livestream was shared on every platform. While an estimated three billion people had access, the livestream reached over one billion viewers after just half an hour of starting!

An unprecedented event!

Immense coverage!

And most importantly… it was captivating! Never before had the world met a criminal so friendly as to accept an interview during a crime! This new twist became the entertainment the world craved.

Caleb was loved by his fangirls, but many hated the royal family after the incident in Kera exposed their true colors. Delaying aid to the city until a certain man appeared to save them tarnished their reputation.

Charming Lincoln, a famous news anchor known for his professionalism and popularity, led the interview. Yet, there was tension as Lincoln tried to appease the masked man on certain points.

"What are your demands, sir?" asked Charming, clasping his hands and leaning forward with laser-like focus. "Many would say that we shouldn't negotiate with criminals, but I want the truth to reach the public. Did you do this for fame, money, or something else we don't know?"

"My demands should have reached the kingdom's ears already, but they cannot reveal them for a crucial reason," answered Lotus Mask, waving a finger. "The king has this mindset about me: I must not be seen as a human, but as pure evil!"

His words shocked the citizens. The accusation, the desperation, and the thought-provoking ideas made the public view Lotus Mask in a different light – one colored by doubt. Could there be deeper motivations for this crime?

"Prince Caleb has always been a degenerate, but that alone was not enough to kidnap him. I never wished to resort to these methods, but I was left with no choice because of the Agard Family! I want to save them!"

Another shocking turn! This kidnapper seemed to have a heart! However, not many knew who the Agard Family was and how they related to these events. Charming Lincoln, a true professional, pulled several sheets of paper, prepared for this very revelation!

Oriole scoffed, the distortion of his voice only adding to his ominousness. "Channels? You mean the same 'proper channels' that locked away an innocent family simply because their gifts frightened the crown? Please, Charming. I've pleaded, negotiated, and groveled to those vipers. This," he said, gesturing vaguely around him, "was my last, desperate move."

A beat of tense silence descended. It was theatrics, yes, but the sliver of desperation bleeding through Oriole's words struck a dissonant chord in the whirlwind of chaos. The comments sections flickered, the fire of righteous anger dimming ever so slightly.

"Yet, here we are," Lincoln pointed out, "Prince Caleb remains in danger. What purpose does his suffering serve?"

Oriole tilted his head, the Lotus mask seeming to mock them. "Sometimes, sacrifice is needed to expose a greater evil. Sometimes, one needs to become the monster the world already believes you are." His voice took on a sorrowful note, "I never imagined it would come to this...I never wished to cause anyone harm, and for that, I am truly sorry."

There was a raw honesty in his confession, a sliver of the real person peeking through the theatrical persona. This contradiction was potent, the crack in the armor that humanized the kidnapper. It didn't excuse his actions, but it planted seeds of doubt within the storm of online opinion.

"Then...let him go," Lincoln said softly, seizing the moment. "Prove there is still honor within you. If your goal is the Agard's safety, kidnapping their only potential advocate will not help you."

A long, drawn-out sigh echoed through the speakers. "You make a compelling point, Charming," Oriole finally conceded. "However, a simple release won't do. You have my demands; prove the kingdom is willing to play fair, and this nightmare can end. Show me proof there is a chance for justice, and my... guest will walk free."

With those enigmatic words, the transmission ceased. Oriole vanished as abruptly as he'd appeared, leaving behind a whirlwind of confusion, fear, and a burning question that hung over the world: where did the truth lay, and was it even worth the cost?

After turning off the livestream, Oriole sat back in his chair, tired. He has exhausted every trick up his sleeve to win the public. It was a tough battle, since he was already painted as the villain: an evil that must be eradicated.

His aim from this interview was simple. Oriole wanted the world to ask the simple question: where does the truth lay, and what does this king hide?

***

Laughter echoed through the runic house in Kera, as Arthur closed the screen with uncontrollable laughter. The identity of the man, known as the Lotus Mask was no secret to him. But he did not think, that at this moment, Oriole would pull such a stunt!

"Brilliant, dear Ori. Just… brilliant!"